For decades, black radio has addressed the issues of race, identity, culture and the meaning of being African-American. For nearly three decades now, the field known as black talk radio has addressed the communication needs of the St. Louis black community and hopefully the larger community as well.
Black talk radio in St. Louis made its debut in 1979 with my talk show on KATZ. We eliminated many of the problems of the area and deepened our understanding of the problems we were facing in everyday life. As African-American politicians began running for the top jobs at in the city – for superintendent of schools, police chief and fire chief – we finally had a city-wide audience, and eventually earned international recognition. And there was “Night Talk,” hosted by Bob Law out of New York.
We offered the same quality as the general population stations and debated issues critical to economic and political reforms. Soon after the success of these programs, and eventually a series of controversies and disputes with station personnel and policies, any number of black talk shows emerged, but hardly any survived the test of time and ratings.
Except for Lizz Brown and the weekend programs on local hip-hop stations, the public flow of information directed to the black community is almost non-existent. Even Radio One, which first gained recognition as a talk station in Washington, D.C. in 1980, with Catherine Hughes, made the decision to program their St. Louis station, FM 95.5, with hip-hop and R&B music. But things could soon change.
Hughes’ son, Alfred C. Liggins III, the chief executive at Radio One, said the company is planning to inaugurate a talk radio network next year. According to The Washington Post, Liggins plans to tap Al Sharpton to host a morning show, and in the afternoon he’ll have Atlanta’s Doug and Ryan Stewart, brothers who will host a show with hip-hop and sports talk.
Clearly, the time is right for a national black talk network. I hope, if it happens, St. Louis will be included, and perhaps they will focus on women and minorities seeking equal treatment, and local issues such as minority participation in construction projects and educational issues.
The time is right, and the country is ready. Maybe we won’t have to wait until January to hear about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. or hear about the intellectual and cultural contributions of African Americans only during the month of February. Perhaps we will hear about minority filmmakers and examine the lifestyles of young adults. Maybe a discussion will be held on the social impacts of motion pictures, television and videos. There could be open discussions on gay and lesbian issues and sexual orientation. There is an opportunity to deliver some news of substance. Who knows, the station may serve as a forum for new ideas.
The lists are long, the possibilities are endless and the challenge will be huge, but I pray that it will happen. I hope I am not asking for or expecting too much, and I hope that my wish list is not too long, but with the history of St. Louis black radio, all that I can do is wait. What do you think?
I can be reached by fax at (314) 837-3369 or by e-mail at: berhay@swbell.net.
